The U.S. Space Force recently completed two critical national security missions: the launch of a GPS III satellite by SpaceX and a space surveillance mission by United Launch Alliance (ULA). These launches occurred amidst ongoing adjustments to the Space Force's satellite launch manifest, which include switching launch providers for several Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to optimize delivery timelines and manage costs.
GPS III SV09 Launch and Manifest Changes
SpaceX successfully launched the GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), designated GPS 3-9, for the U.S. Space Force on January 27 at 11:53 p.m. EST. The launch, originally set for the previous day, was delayed due to weather conditions. It took place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
The GPS III-SV09 spacecraft is the ninth of ten GPS III satellites built by Lockheed Martin. It incorporates M-Code technology, providing enhanced accuracy and jam-resistant capabilities for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). The satellite was named "Ellison Onizuka" in honor of the U.S. Air Force Col. and NASA astronaut. The first satellite in the GPS III series launched in December 2018.
For this mission, SpaceX utilized Falcon 9 first stage booster B1096, completing its fifth flight. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster landed on the drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' in the Atlantic Ocean. The Falcon 9's upper stage deployed the GPS III-SV09 satellite into a medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers) about 90 minutes after launch. This mission marked SpaceX's second national security flight of the year.
Launch Provider Swaps
The launch of GPS III-SV09 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 represented a change from its original assignment to a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command System Delta 80 indicated that these changes were made to expedite the delivery of satellite capabilities to orbit and resulted in overall net cost savings for the government.
As part of these significant adjustments to the manifest:
- SV09, originally awarded to ULA under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract (October 31, 2023), was transferred to SpaceX.
- ULA will now launch the GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) SV13 satellite on its Vulcan rocket. SV13 was originally assigned to SpaceX on a Falcon Heavy under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contract (April 7, 2025).
This marks a pattern of launch provider and timeline adjustments for GPS missions, including:
- In December 2023, SpaceX launched the GPS III SV07 spacecraft, initially assigned to ULA. This mission, known as the Rapid Response Trailblazer, aimed to minimize the impact of Vulcan launch delays on the Space Force’s manifest. ULA received the GPS 3 SV10 launch in exchange.
- In May 2025, SpaceX launched the GPS III SV08 spacecraft, which was originally assigned to ULA. ULA received the GPS 3F-1 (SV11) launch in exchange.
Col. Ryan Hiserote, SYD 80 Commander and NSSL program manager, noted that programmatic and contractual flexibility allows adaptation to changing circumstances. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, program executive officer of SSC's Assured Access to Space (AATS), stated that delay penalties are associated with contract modifications due to switching launch vehicles.
Current GPS satellite assignments include:
- GPS 3-9 (SV09) – SpaceX Falcon 9
- GPS 3-8 (SV10) – ULA Vulcan
- GPS 3F-1 (SV11) – ULA Vulcan
- GPS 3F-2 (SV12) – ULA Vulcan
- GPS 3F-3 (SV13) – ULA Vulcan
The next generation of satellites, GPS IIIF, is expected to begin launching in Spring 2027.
USSF-87 Mission and Space Surveillance Deployment
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force on Thursday, February 12, at 4:22 a.m. EST. The launch originated from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission utilized a Vulcan Centaur rocket in a VC4S configuration, featuring four solid rocket boosters.
The USSF-87 mission marked the fourth flight for the 202-foot-tall (61-meter) Vulcan Centaur, which ULA developed as a replacement for its Atlas V rocket. The Vulcan Centaur debuted in January 2024 with the Peregrine lunar lander. ULA's Vice President of Atlas and Vulcan Programs, Gary Wentz, stated that Vulcan was designed for missions involving significant payloads to complex orbits and multi-manifested national security space. The USSF-87 mission was projected to be the company's longest mission to date, with a total duration of 10 hours. The Vulcan Centaur has been certified by the U.S. Space Force for national security launches, joining SpaceX as a certified provider.
Mission Payloads
The primary payloads for USSF-87 included two satellites for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP), a U.S. reconnaissance system. In addition, research, development, and training systems were included. These systems are to be utilized by Guardians to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for precision on-orbit maneuvers and to enhance and validate resiliency and protection in geosynchronous orbit. These additional payloads were housed on Northrop Grumman's ESPAStar platform.
GSSAP Program Details
The GSSAP spacecraft operate at an altitude of 22,236 miles (35,785 kilometers) above Earth in geostationary orbit.
The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) describes GSSAP as a high-performance, dedicated Space Surveillance Network sensor designed to enhance awareness of activities in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). GSSAP satellites typically launch in pairs.
Key objectives of the GSSAP program include:
- Improving flight safety for all spacefaring nations in GEO.
- Enhancing the ability of USSF space operators to warn of potential object approaches or hazardous situations.
- Contributing to timely and accurate orbital predictions for improved spaceflight safety and satellite collision avoidance.
In August 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Greg Fertig, then deputy program manager of the SSC's GSSAP Program Office, stated that one GSSAP satellite (space vehicle 2) had been decommissioned, and the Space Force had ordered two more GSSAP satellites from Northrop Grumman.